The Firefighter Mindset

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The world is undeniably getting more chaotic, less predictable, more uncertain, and more combustible. This leads to an increasing number of clients telling us that they spend more and more time firefighting. When we ask them how they prepare their mindset, approach their challenges, deal with the roller coaster of emotions, and recover from these high-stress engagements, we are often met with a blind stare and silence.

As we coach our clients to achieve their bold projects in this combustible environment, we have found that combining our TIGNUM Sustainable Human Performance tools and strategies with our combined 55+ years of experience in the fire service has been helpful. We want to share a few mental maps to help you engage more strategically, think more logically, find more calm in the storm, recover better, and learn more purposefully. Ultimately, you will be more prepared and strategic with your future firefights.

Increase your readiness for the unexpected

The first lesson you learn in the fire service is that your personal readiness is your greatest tool. Your team depends on you, the effectiveness of the operation depends on you, and, most importantly, those who call you for assistance on their worst day depend on you. You start every shift by checking your protective equipment, investing in your physical capabilities, gathering any learnings from the crew you’re replacing, and mentally transitioning to be ready for the most challenging call in your life that may come any minute.

What’s the first thing you do to start your day at work? Are you really ready?

When we get dispatched, we immediately begin a systematic and comprehensive problem analysis that analyzes the extent of the situation, the volatility to life (ours and those involved), the options to tackle the problem, and the resources needed. We call this our size up, where we rapidly analyze eight critical fire ground factors and communicate our assessment, strategy, and immediate actions. Everyone involved always knows exactly what everyone else is doing and why.

How do you size up your challenges? Do you have a logical, repeatable, effective, and efficient process for managing your fires?

Mental models for quick strategic decision-making

In the fire service, we use two mental models that are key to our success. First, we assess and account for all seven sides of the building (the inside, front, left side, back side, right side, above the fire, and below the fire). We know that what we don’t know may kill us, while at the same time, we know that time is critical because fire grows exponentially. This means we combine intelligence gathering with doing the work, but we are always clear about what we know and don’t know. Second, we analyze every fire with a risk management profile. Simply put, we will risk our lives a lot in a calculated manner to save savable lives. We will risk our lives a little in a calculated manner to save savable property. And, we will not risk our lives at all to save lives or property that are already lost.

What mental models do you apply to your bold projects and challenges to assess your risks and opportunities?

From the second we engage with a building on fire, we are tracking both the effectiveness of the workers and their well-being. We track how much air they have left in their breathing apparatus and their progress on their assigned tasks, and we constantly make sure they have the resources needed to achieve their tasks. As each crew exits the hazard zone, we immediately send them to a rehabilitation sector where they are assessed and monitored, hydrated and nourished, and where they can quickly recover and reset before they are reassigned to the firefight.

Do you oscillate in the middle of your biggest challenges, or do you just put your head down and attempt to be superhuman? Do you go alone, or do you check in with the team and help them come along?

At the onset of every incident, the first responding unit assumes and announces command. There are no leaderless emergencies, so it is always clear that there is accountability, a purposeful strategy, a practiced and polished communications system, and constant attention to everyone’s safety.

Do you always know who is in charge of your crisis? Do you have a set communication model? Do you have someone paying attention to everyone’s needs for recovery?

After-action reviews are crucial for increasing readiness

When an incident is over, it is announced that the fire is under control, there is an all-clear (there are no victims), there is a loss stopped (no more damage will occur), and all units are accounted for (everyone is safe and able to return home). At this time, an after-action critique occurs on the scene, and all learnings are captured. We go to each unit and have them tell us what actions they took, what they did well, and what they could have done better. When the units are released, they are ready for the next emergency, and everyone is smarter.

How do you announce when your bold project or crisis is completed? Do you always do an after-action review?

With the right mindset, fighting your fires will no longer be full of chaos, reactivity, high stress, and avoidance. You will find yourself being able to approach your problems with the calmness, proactiveness, strategic thinking, and professionalism as a firefighter. At TIGNUM, we make people with extreme jobs stronger. This starts by developing your mindset skills to take on your boldest projects. While the work is important, nothing is more important and more foundational than your and your team’s Personal Readiness.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Scott Peltin // Co-Founder and Chief Catalyst

As the Co-Founder and Chief Catalyst of TIGNUM, Scott has coached many top CEOs, executives, professional athletes, and others to Rule Their Impact. Scott’s unique blend of his 25 years in the Fire Service, education, and coaching experience helps him combine the art and science of Sustainable High Performance to help TIGNUM clients be better, for longer, when it counts the most.

Jeff Case // Senior Performance Specialist

Jeff is a Performance Specialist for TIGNUM. He is responsible for delivering and supporting TIGNUM programs. His role includes coaching top senior executives, as well as delivering TIGNUM programs around the globe. Jeff's professional background includes 35 years in the Fire Service with over 18 years at the Executive Chief Officer level, providing strategic level leadership and advancement of the Fire Service as a national presenter and innovator.

ABOUT TIGNUM

TIGNUM is the major performance building block for business professionals, designed around a skill- and data-based approach that respects the individuality, focuses on the brain, evolves constantly, and creates lasting impact. Its international team comes from a wide range of fields, including human behavior, elite athletics, special forces, performance medicine, executive coaching, change consultants, and more.